Laura was already aware of her illness when she started her studies. She completed her Bachelor's degree cumlaude and with an honours certificate, and went on to do an exchange programme at Cornell University. She had been working on her master's degree, with a focus on Health Law. Laura was a beloved and highly talented student.

LEEF!

In 2014, Laura wrote the book LEEF! which made her a household name in the Netherlands. The book describes her fight with cancer, and in 2016, it was made into a play.